Original Article

Huperzine A reverses scopolamine- and muscimol-induced memory deficits in chick

Yang Gao, Xi-Can Tang, Lin-Chu Guan, Pei-Zi Kuang

Abstract

"AIM:
To study the effects of huperzine A on disruption of spatial memory induced by scopolamine (a muscarinic antagonist) and muscimol (a GABAA agonist) in passive avoidance task.
METHODS:
One-trial passive avoidance task was used to investigate the effects of huperzine A. The avoidance rate was used to evaluate memory retention.
RESULTS:
Both scopolamine (100 ng) and muscimol (50 ng), injected intracranially 5 min before training, resulted in a decreased avoidance rate. Huperzine A (25 ng), injected intracranially 15 min before training, reversed memory deficits induced by scopolamine and muscimol at 30 min after training, and this reversal persisted at least 1 h. The improving effects of huperzine A exhibited a bell-shaped dose-response curve.
CONCLUSION:
Huperzine A improved the process of memory formation not only by acting as a highly potent and selective inhibitor of AChE, but also by antagonizing effects mediated through the GABAA receptor."
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